A 56-YEAR-OLD'S mobility scooter was stolen from outside his house in the middle of the night and left wrecked nearby.
Steven Hancock woke last Thursday morning to find the scooter he has relied on since breaking his foot two years ago was gone.
The silver four-wheeler was found later that day and returned to him, but it was damaged beyond repair.
Mr Hancock, of Milne Park West, said: "I felt like crying my eyes out when I saw it. It is irreparable. There is nothing I can do about it.
"That night I was awake all night as I could not sleep, but I did not hear anything and the dog did not hear anything.
"I am not really getting around without it – it helped me go shopping and do things like that."
The scooter had its wiring ripped out, plastic casing damaged and handle bars snapped off.
Mr Hancock added: "I know I was a little sod when I was a kid but I did not do things like that."
The scooter had been parked as usual in the alleyway between Mr Hancock's and his neighbour's house.
Mr Hancock's partner, Jan Allum, said: "I went out to the shop on Thursday morning to get the paper and saw the bins were moved.
"I thought 'that is unusual' and then 'Oh my God! The bike has gone'."
She added: "What really concerns me is that could have been an 80-year-old lady who really relies on it.
"There don't seem to be any police up here when you want them."
The wrecked scooter was found in Milne Park by a man taking his children to school, who alerted the Pathfinders community group.
It was traced back to Mr Hancock after John Behan at the Steel Gym alerted his Facebook followers to the theft.
The scooter was given to Mr Hancock by his mother to help after his foot injury, for which he is still being treated in hospital.
He added: "The annoying part of it is it belonged to my mother – it is like they are attacking my mother."
Police are investigating.
